Exploring Extracellular Vesicles of Probiotic Yeast as Carriers of Biologically Active Molecules Transferred to Human Intestinal Cells

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles containing various bioactive cargos-e.g., proteins, RNAs, and lipids-that are released into the environment by all cell types. They are involved in, amongst other functions, intercellular communication. This article presents studies on EVs produced by the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745. The size distribution and concentration of EVs in the liquid culture of yeast were estimated. Moreover, the vesicles of S. boulardii were tested for their cytotoxicity against three model human intestinal cell lines. This study did not show any significant negative effect of yeast EVs on these cells under tested conditions. In addition, EVs of S. boulardii were verified for their ability to internalize in vitro with human cells and transfer their cargo. The yeast vesicles were loaded with doxorubicin, an anticancer agent, and added to the cellular cultures. Subsequently, microscopic observations revealed that these EVs transferred the compound to human intestinal cell lines. A cytotoxicity test confirmed the activity of the transferred doxorubicin. Detailed information about the proteins present in EVs might be important in terms of exploring yeast EVs as carriers of active molecules. Thus, proteomic analysis of the EV content was also conducted within the present study, and it allowed the identification of 541 proteins after matching them to the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD). Altogether, this study provides strong evidence that the EVs of the probiotic CNCM I-745 strain could be considered a drug delivery system.

Anandamide-Modulated Changes in Metabolism, Glycosylation Profile and Migration of Metastatic Melanoma Cells

Simple Summary

Anandamide (AEA) belongs to the group of endocannabinoids and possesses various regulatory properties in physiological as well as pathological processes occurring in the organism. In this research some basic biological tests were applied to investigate AEA-induced changes in cell metabolism and motility, as well as advanced biophysical methods for the determination of the differences in the cell glycosylation profile on a highly dangerous model of melanoma skin cancer, for which an effective therapy is not yet available. Our research suggests that anandamide treatment of metastatic melanoma cells increases the cell metabolism which leads to the reduction in the metastatic potential of cells in terms of the cell glycosylation profile and cell migration. In the view of our research, it can be presumed that anandamide usage in the combined therapy of advanced melanoma would be an advantage for the patient.

Abstract

An effective therapy for advanced melanoma, a skin cancer with the highest mortality, has not yet been developed. The endocannabinoid system is considered to be an attractive target for cancer treatment. The use of endocannabinoids, such as anandamide (AEA), is considered to be much greater than as a palliative agent. Thus, we checked its influence on various signaling pathways in melanoma cells. Our investigation was performed on four commercial cell lines derived from different progression stages (radial WM35 and vertical WM115 growth phases, lymph node WM266-4 metastasis, solid tumor A375-P metastasis). Cell viability, glucose uptake, quantification of reactive oxygen species production, expression of selected genes encoding glycosyltransferases, quantification of glycoproteins production and changes in the glycosylation profile and migration, as well as in cell elastic properties were analyzed. The cell glycosylation profile was investigated using the biophysical profiling method—the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Anandamide treatment of only metastatic cells resulted in: an increase in the cell metabolism, a decrease in GFAT-1 and DPM1 expression, followed by a decrease in L1-CAM glycoprotein production, which further influenced the reduction in the cell glycosylation profile and migration. Considering our results, AEA usage is highly recommended in the combined therapy of advanced melanoma.

Synthesis of Novel Acyl Derivatives of 3-(4,5,6,7-Tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)propan-1-ols-Intracellular TBBi-Based CK2 Inhibitors with Proapoptotic Properties

Protein kinase CK2 has been considered as an attractive drug target for anti-cancer therapy. The synthesis of N-hydroxypropyl TBBi and 2MeTBBi derivatives as well as their respective esters was carried out by using chemoenzymatic methods. Concomitantly with kinetic studies toward recombinant CK2, the influence of the obtained compounds on the viability of two human breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) was evaluated using MTT assay. Additionally, an intracellular inhibition of CK2 as well as an induction of apoptosis in the examined cells after the treatment with the most active compounds were studied by Western blot analysis, phase-contrast microscopy and flow cytometry method. The results of the MTT test revealed potent cytotoxic activities for most of the newly synthesized compounds (EC50 4.90 to 32.77 µM), corresponding to their solubility in biological media. We concluded that derivatives with the methyl group decrease the viability of both cell lines more efficiently than their non-methylated analogs. Furthermore, inhibition of CK2 in breast cancer cells treated with the tested compounds at the concentrations equal to their EC50 values correlates well with their lipophilicity since derivatives with higher values of logP are more potent intracellular inhibitors of CK2 with better proapoptotic properties than their parental hydroxyl compounds.

Biodegradation Process of PSF-PUR Blend Hollow Fiber Membranes Using Escherichia coli Bacteria-Evaluation of Changes in Properties and Porosity

This work was focused on biodegradation with Escherichia coli bacteria studies of PSF-PUR blend semipermeable hollow fiber membranes that possibly can undergo a partial degradation process. Hollow fiber membranes were obtained from polysulfone (PSF) and polyurethane (PUR) containing ester bonds in the polymer chain in various weight ratios using two solvents: N,N-Dimethylmethanamide (DMF) or N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The membranes that underwent the biodegradation process were tested for changes in the ultrafiltration coefficient (UFC), retention and cut-off point. Moreover, the membranes were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), MeMoExplorer^TM Software and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The influence of E. coli and its metabolites has been proven by the increase in UFC after biodegradation and changes in the selectivity and porosity of individual membranes after the biodegradation process.

Antifungal polybrominated proxyphylline derivative induces Candida albicans calcineurin stress response in Galleria mellonella

Candida albicans CNB1 plays a role in the response in vitro and in vivo to stress generated by PB-WUT-01, namely 1,3-dimethyl-7-(2-((1-(3-(perbromo-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)propyl)-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione. The antifungal mechanism involved the calcineurin pathway-regulated genes SAP9-10. Galleria mellonella treated with PB-WUT-01 (at 0.64 µg/mg) showed limited candidiasis and remained within the highest survival rates. The molecular mode of action of PB-WUT-01 was rationalized by in silico docking studies toward both human and C. albicans calcineurin A (CNA) and calcineurin B (CNB) complexes, respectively. PB-WUT-01 acting as a calcineurin inhibitor in the C. albicans cells enhances the cells' susceptibility. Therefore it could be a suitable alternative treatment in patients with candidiasis.

The Effect of Anti-aging Peptides on Mechanical and Biological Properties of HaCaT Keratinocytes

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy was applied to determine the influence of the anti-aging peptides on the morphology and the mechanical properties of keratinocytes. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were treated with two anti-aging bioactive peptides: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-50 (Lipotec). The AFM measurement of the keratinocyte stiffness were carried after 48 h exposure at an indentation depth of 200 nm. AFM analysis showed increase of the cell stiffness for cells treated with Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 (P1) in concentration range. Acetyl Hexapeptide-50 (P2) at concentration of 0.05 µg/ml also increased the stiffness of HaCaT cells but at higher concentrations 0.5 and 5 µg/ml cell stiffness was lower as compared to untreated control. Fluorescence microscopy revealed remodeling of actin filaments dependent on the concentration of P2 peptide. The mechanical response of HaCaT cells treated with P2 peptide corresponds to change of transcription level of ACTN1 and SOD2 which activity was expected to be modulated by P2 treatment.

The effect of polymeric membrane surface on HaCaT cell properties

The control of the surface properties is an important issue for applicability of polymer membranes interacting with cells. In this work, the influence of surface roughness and stiffness of two polymer membranes on viability and mechanical properties of keratinocytes was studied. Terpolimer polyglicolide, polycaprolactone and polylactide, (PGA-PCL-PLA) and copolymer polycaprolactone, polyglicolide (PGA-PCL) substrates were used for membranes fabrication. Surface modification - the hydrolysis of the obtained membranes was carried out. The analysis of membranes' surface properties revealed that RMS surface roughness and roughness factor of PGA-PCL-PLA membrane decreased after hydrolysis while its stiffness increased. In contrast, the PGA-PCL membrane stiffness was only slightly affected by NaOH treatment. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were grown under standard conditions on the surface of the studied membranes and characterized by means of atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microcopy. The results showed the substrate-dependent effect on cells' properties.

Analogs of cinnamic acid benzyl amide as nonclassical inhibitors of activated JAK2 kinase

Scaffold-based analogs of cinnamic acid benzyl amide (CABA) exhibit pleiotropic effects in cancer cells, and their exact molecular mechanism of action is under investigation. The present study is part of our systemic analysis of interactions of CABA analogs with their molecular targets. These compounds were shown to inhibit Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and JAK2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signaling and thus are attractive scaffolds for anticancer drug design. To identify the potential mechanisms of action of this class of compounds, direct interactions of the selected CABA analogs with JAK2 kinase were examined. Inhibition of JAK2 enzymatic activity was assessed, and molecular modeling studies of selected compounds-(E)-2-cyano-N-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]-3-(pyridin-2-yl)acrylamide (WP1065), (E)-2-cyano-N-[(S)-1-phenylbutyl]- 3-(3-bromopyridin-2-yl)acrylamide (WP1130), and (E)-2-cyano-N-[(S)-1,4-diphenylbutyl]-3-(3-bromopyridin-2-yl)acrylamide (WP1702)-in the JAK2 kinase domain were used to support interpretation of the experimental data. Our results indicated that the tested CABA analogs are nonclassical inhibitors of activated (phosphorylated) JAK2, although markedly weaker than clinically tested ATP-competitive JAK2 inhibitors. Relatively small structural changes in the studied compounds affected interactions with JAK2, and their mode of action ranged from allosteric-noncompetitive to bisubstratecompetitive. These results demonstrated that direct inhibition of JAK2 enzymatic activity by the WP1065 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀] = 14.8 µM), WP1130 (IC₅₀ = 3.8 µM), and WP1702 (IC₅₀ = 2.9 µM) potentially contributes, albeit minimally, to suppression of the JAK2/STAT signaling pathways in cancer cells and that additional specific structural modifications may amplify JAK2-inhibitory effects.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis and biological evaluation of enantiomerically enriched 1-(β-hydroxypropyl)imidazolium- and triazolium-based ionic liquids

Racemic 1-(β-hydroxypropyl)azoles were prepared by solvent-free direct regioselective ring opening of 1,2-propylene oxide with imidazole or 1,2,4-triazole. Lipase-catalyzed transesterification of alcohols with vinyl acetate resulted in kinetic enantiomers resolution. Separated (S)-enantiomers of (+)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol and (+)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol were quaternized with alkyl bromides or iodides, yielding novel optically active ionic liquids. Racemic salts were tested against a wide range of microorganisms.